LOCH AILORT, (ARDNISH)
Established in 1965, the first salmon farm in the UK, the sea water site at Loch Ailort (Ardnish), has changed over the years. Originally a production farm, it is now a feed trials unit. It currently comprises:
65 x 5m2 steel pens 14 x 16m2 steel pens Use of wrasse and lumpsuckers as sea lice control
Since 1965 the original shore base at Lochailort has provided many functions including: hatchery, processing plant, engineering workshops, offices, laboratory, feed plant and store and challenge test facility. Today it is now the site of the new recirculation hatchery Loch Ailort is located in Lochaber. The Sound of Arisaig separates the Arisaig peninsula to the north from the Moidart peninsula to the south. At the eastern, landward end, the sound is divided by Ardnish into two sea lochs. Loch nan Uamh lies to the north, Loch Ailort to the south. There are a number of small islands in the sound, of which Eilean nan Gobhar and Samalaman Island, both near to Glenuig on the south shore, are the largest. The A861 road follows the south shore of Loch Ailort and the sound proper as far west as Glenuig.